Meet Marilyn

Welcome Message

Dear friends,

Thank you for your interest in my campaign to become Harris County District Clerk! My family has a long history of public service, as do I. Starting with my early experiences as a member of the PTA at my daughter’s school right up through my time with the state-level Texas PTA as Executive Director.

This role of District Clerk is one few are familiar with. The Clerk is the record-keeper for Harris County Courts; she handles funds related to cases; she coordinate the jury panel selection process; and more. It’s a behind-the-scenes role that’s so important to a well run judicial system.

A successful District Clerk must have strong management, organizational, and financial skills, as well as a strong moral and work ethic. I will bring these traits, my experience with grassroots political organization, and my financial expertise as a CPA to the job.

I look forward to serving you!

My Platform

I will restore integrity and sound fiscal management to an office badly in need of such qualities.

With one of the largest budgets of any department in the county, my financial expertise is needed!

I will work to increase diversity among prospective jurors.

Having juries that reflect the county’s demographics increases faith and trust in the justice system. Juries too often have no or few minorities, so they are not truly a jury of one’s peers. I will create effective outreach efforts to bring in more minorities to jury service.

I will support the bail overhaul system.

Too many non-violent offenders are held in jail awaiting trial because they lack the money to post bail. This means they lose their jobs and can’t support their families or contribute to the economy. Meanwhile, the taxpayer is responsible for housing and feeding them, as well as for their medical care. This is not good for the offender, their family, the economy, or the taxpayer, and it needs to stop.

I will make the county′s electronic court records system more efficient and easier to navigate.

I will work to increase the stability, consistency, and customer service response times.

Biography

Marilyn Burgess and her family

After graduating from Louisiana State University with an accounting degree, Marilyn Burgess launched a successful career in business and became a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). But when she went to work for the Texas Parent Teachers Association (PTA) she found her true calling: fighting and advocating for causes that better the lives of teachers, working- and middle-class families, single mothers, and children who need a helping hand.

“Maybe I always knew I had that in me. I was raised by parents who gave back to their community,” Burgess says. “But I recognized when I was there fighting in Austin on behalf of children, parents, and teachers that I was meant to be an advocate for these groups – an advocate for those who sometimes have no voice and no influence.” It was Burgess’ desire to lead change that brought her to announce her candidacy for Harris County District Clerk.

“I have the executive experience needed to turn the District Clerk’s Office around,” Burgess says. “With me, Harris County will get seasoned, measured, smart leadership. I will restore integrity and sound fiscal management to an office badly in need of such qualities.”

Burgess developed her belief in hard work, the value of education, and public service growing up in Spearsville, a northern Louisiana town of 350 people, about five miles from Arkansas. Burgess’ parents were lifelong Democrats. Her father was active in community affairs, representing the Spearsville region in a role similar to county commissioner for twelve years. When her father attended state Democratic conventions, the whole family went along. “I met two or three governors while growing up,” Burgess says.

After Burgess’ mother retired from her position as chair of the local hospital board, she served as mayor of Spearsville during the final years of her life. “Growing up, my parents instilled in me certain core Democratic values. I believe in the important role Social Security plays as a safety net for senior citizens during retirement,” she says. “I believe there is a moral obligation for society to provide good public schools so education can act as the great equalizer for the less well-off.”

Upon graduating from LSU, Burgess accepted a position with a Dallas accounting firm. Later, she moved to Austin, where she raised her daughter as a single mom and was retained as the outside accounting firm for the Texas PTA. That relationship led to her being hired as a full-time staff member at the PTA and, eventually, as its Executive Director.

In that role, she worked with lawmakers to pass legislation for the health, education, and welfare of the children of Texas, including the Children’s Health Insurance Program, Graduated Driver’s Licensing, and other laws, as well as leading a fight against school vouchers that would have redirected tax dollars to private schools.

In 2002 Burgess moved to Houston, where she served as president of the North Houston-Greenspoint Chamber of Commerce. In that role, she helped win a tax designation favorable to area businesses and gained an intimate knowledge of the needs and concerns of small and large businesses. For the past decade, she has served as Chief Financial Officer at The Fastener Connection, a family-owned fastener company in north Harris County.

Marilyn has been endorsed by 14 area organizations, over 50 Harris County Democratic Precinct Chairs, and many individuals. She is the candidate best positioned to win this office back for Democrats in November.

Outside of work, Burgess, of Timbergrove, enjoys spending time with her daughter Lindsey and two grandchildren, Reagan (10) and Geoffrey (8), who live in Montgomery.

Achievements

As a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Marilyn will bring fiscal responsibility and exceptional organizational skills to the role of Harris County District Clerk, ensuring that citizens get the most out of every tax dollar they put into our court system. She understands a well managed court system is essential for the prosperity of Harris County.

Marilyn is also a Certified Association Executive who understands how boards and their staff are meant to work together. She has also served as President of the North Houston-Greenspoint Chamber of Commerce, working with elected officials and community members to improve the business community and its economy.

During her tenure as Executive Director of the Texas PTA, Marilyn lobbied before the Texas State Legislature and testified before the Texas Education Association on such issues as promoting a free, quality public education for all children by opposing school vouchers that would have redirected public funds to private institutions. She also worked on the passage of CHIPS legislation, promoted parent involvement in schools, and led workshops on school safety.

These experiences, combined with her financial background and her drive to improve the community, make her the right person for the job.

Certified Public Accountant

Marilyn has served as a CPA in the Houston area for many years.

Certified Association Executive

Marilyn is a Certified Association Executive who has also served as President of the North Houston-Greenspoint Chamber of Commerce

Texas Parent-Teacher Association

Marilyn spent twelve years working with the Texas PTA, with the last four as Executive Director